The "Living The American Dream: Part II" Story

It was an ordinary day.  While searching for information about Harry Schlotzhauer on the Lancaster Newspaper's archives, I came upon a rather interesting letter that had been sent to Harry from his brother Martin who lived in Gehausen, Germany.  It was dated September 20, 1914.  World War I was fought from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918.  I found it such an interesting read that I have reposted the entire letter, including any mistakes that may have been part of the letter.  Being that copyrights last for 70 years after the death of the author or 95 years from the year of its first publication, I am legally able to copy this letter for you to try and understand what the brother and father of Harry must have been going through.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

LETTER FROM THE FATHERLAND

To: Harry Scholtzhauer, Lancaster Pa, U.S.A.

Dear Brother:
     Your letter of August 17th received and glad to hear from you.  We would have written you sooner, had we known that you would receive our letter.  Dear Brother, I noticed in your letter that there are a great many false reports in your country regarding the Kaiser and the cause of the war.  Our Kaiser did not want war, but was forced by the enemies.  The Prince of Austria was murdered by a Servian, upon which the Austrian declared war upon Servia, whereupon the Russians sent their troops both to Austria and German lines.   Upon being questioned by the German Kaiser why the Russian troops were being mobilized, the Russian Czar replied that his troops were not mobilizing, but only maneuvering as usual, but the Czar continued to send still more troops to the front, upon which Prince Henry visited Russia and had a conversation with the Czar in regards to sending his troops to the front, who promised him that there would not be any trouble, but before Prince Henry returned to Germany to inform the Kaiser of the Czar's report, the Russians had already sent a lot more troops to the front, and as the Czar still continued sending more and more troops to the front after promising Prince Henry peace, our Kaiser began mobilizing his army on August 2nd.  
     Now, Dear Brother, can't you imagine how Germany was being filled up with Russian and Grench spies trying to wreck all bridges, cut cables and poison the streams in Gehause.  We are constantly looking for spies.  We captured one automobile with fourteen Russian spies going through our field, who carried with them very large amounts of poison with the intention to poison the streams.  You can imagine what happened to the spies.  In Vacha, 8 miles from Gehause, another automobile was captured which contained five more Russian spies.  These spies were all dressed in women's clothing, but one who drove the car.  These spies carried with them large amounts of dynamite and bombs, and were headed for the bridge which crosses the River Were.
     Only the constant watching of our troops saved Gehause and neighboring towns from much more damage.  It was only upon capturing these spies, together with others in other towns, that the Kaiser declared war upon Russia, upon which France declared war upon Germany.  After war was declared, the Germans decided to go through Belgium in order to get into France.  Here the Germans were confronted by the Belgiums who were urged by the French to flight the Germans, but to their sorrow.  Here England also declared war against Germany.  Our troops are advancing with success.  At this time there are no more enemies on any German soil. 
     From the windows and roof tops, the Belgian soldiers and civilians fired upon the German soldiers.  The Kaiser warned them to discontinue sniping else he would fire their town for punishment, but as they failed to obey orders, the Germans were forced to destroy their town Louvaine.  Out of our own village, 60 men have so far been called away and only one returned wounded.  Your brother, Adam had also been called out, and had already left for his troop, but upon arrival was discharged on account of already having enough of men at that time.  Dear Brother, I myself up to the present time have not been called away from home, which pleases my parents very much, but I do not know how soon I might be, maybe never to return again.  Everything in Gehause is about the same as before and the crops have all been put away.
     Our father celebrated his 70th anniversary on September 14th.
     Our Kaiser kept peace for only forty-four years, and put Germany in as good a standing as it is today, and we all hope God will save same, but if it would not have been for our good Kaiser, there would have been war four years ago.  Now, Brother, you can see for yourself how Germany came to war.  When we write again, we will write more.  If you receive this letter, answer at once, as I am anxious to know if you receive same.
     With best wishes to your wife and family and other relatives, I am MARTIN SCHLOTZHAUAER.  
     Note:  This part his father wrote:
     Dear Son:
     Do not put any of the blame on our Kaiser.  the Kaiser thinking that there might be war, he sent notice to all churches to hold special services and pray for peace as he did not want any blood shed.  We all hope that the war will soon come to an end, and send you our best wishes.
     Your father, JOHN ADAM SCHLOTZHAUER